SHIF expands to Huduma Center

In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has directed all Huduma Centres across Kenya to establish dedicated SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) desks. This initiative aims to streamline access to health insurance information and registration services for all Kenyans.

The new directive comes as the government works to address public confusion between SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA). Kapsabet Huduma Centre has already implemented a successful SHIF desk, serving as a model for nationwide rollout.

Since its official launch on October 1, 2024, the program, now also known as Taifa Care, has seen remarkable progress. As of November 28, 2024, over 15.5 million Kenyans have registered with SHA, with nearly 10 million being voluntary registrations and about 5.8 million transferred from the previous NHIF system.

The voluntary registration data reveals encouraging participation across age groups. Young adults aged 18-35 lead with 3.6 million registrations, followed closely by the 36-55 age group with 3.33 million. The program has also attracted 1.37 million individuals above 55 years and 1.45 million under 18 years, demonstrating its appeal across generations.

These SHIF desks at Huduma Centres will serve as one-stop shops for citizens seeking information about the program, making it easier for Kenyans to understand and access their healthcare benefits. The integration of health insurance services into Huduma Centres marks another step forward in Kenya's journey toward universal health coverage.